My necromancer career begins at Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall led Maurice straight out of the castle and headed northeast.

They passed through a greenhouse-like structure, then a huge willow tree, and finally stopped in front of a crooked building.

This is a single-story wooden cabin that looks like it was built by hand.

What's striking is that the door to this little cabin is unusually large, as if a giant lived inside.

Professor McGonagall raised her hand and knocked on the door.

"They're here!"

A rough voice came from inside the house.

This made Maurice immediately realize who the owner of this place was.

The door was quickly pulled open.

Sure enough, just as he expected, Rupert Hagrid's towering figure almost filled the entire doorway.

"You've arrived, Professor McGonagall," he nodded to her and warmly invited, "Would you like a cup of hot tea first?"

Professor McGonagall waved her hand: "No need, Hagrid. Mr. Black is in your care. I have class later."

After saying that, she nodded slightly to Maurice, then turned and hurriedly left.

Only Maurice and Hagrid remained in front of the cabin.

"Oh, hello there." Hagrid bent down and extended his hand to Maurice in a friendly manner. "I think you already know me; just call me Hagrid."

"I am Maurice Black," Maurice replied, extending his hand.

Hagrid's hands were enormous, almost completely enveloping his arms.

Morris clicked his tongue inwardly, realizing that if the other party exerted even a little force, his arm would probably be in danger.

"Well, Professor McGonagall should have already explained why you're here," Hagrid said gently, stepping aside to make way. "Let's go inside and talk."

Hagrid's cabin has only one room, furnished with enlarged versions of the furniture: a bed, a table and chairs, and a fireplace.

Hanging from the ceiling were dried herbs, ham, and a bunch of oddly shaped plants that Morris couldn't name.

"Sit anywhere," Hagrid said.

Morris tried the chairs that were too high, but eventually chose to sit on the edge of the bed.

"So, where are those creatures called Thestrals?" he asked curiously.

"The Forbidden Forest," Hagrid pointed to the grove of trees outside the window, "generally, young wizards are forbidden from entering there, but we're a special case. I'll take you there in a bit. Would you like some biscuits?"

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it, I baked it myself!"

Morris took a large, rough biscuit from Hagrid.

But he regretted it the moment he took a bite.

This can't even be considered a cookie; it's more like a piece of coarse pottery.

It might take a dragon's teeth to bite it.

He casually placed the cookies on the table and asked nonchalantly, "When do we leave?"

"Now," Hagrid gently kicked the massive hound that was dozing beside him, "wake up, Toothpick, it's time to get to work."

Ya Ya let out a muffled whimper and stood up.

Morris then realized that the dog was almost as tall as him, only appearing small next to Hagrid.

It curiously approached Maurice, exhaling a warm breath from its nostrils, and then licked his hand affectionately.

"Haha, it likes you!" Hagrid patted Tooth's fluffy head happily. "Tooth is a little timid, but it's always good to have a companion."

Morris looked at the saliva on his hands, silently took out his wand, and cast a cleansing spell on himself—a spell he had learned from the casual books he bought from Diagon Alley, which were not part of the textbook.

"Alright, let's go." Hagrid walked towards the door. "The Thestrals' habitat is a bit far from here. Also, don't out of my sight."

The two people and the dog walked towards the deep, dense forest.

Forest ban.

Morris remembered that at the opening banquet, Headmaster Dumbledore had mentioned this place, saying it was off-limits to the students.

He was quite curious about what might be in this forest.

"Thestrals live deep within the Forbidden Forest, but they will come out to the outer areas at certain times, such as when Hogwarts needs them, or when a new member is about to be born into their pack," Hagrid said, using his enormous hands to push aside the branches blocking his path. "Thestrals are very protective of their pack; they will choose the safest place for their young."

"You mean the Forbidden Forest isn't safe?" Morris asked casually.

“Oh, I’m not kidding, but there are some less friendly creatures in this forest.” Hagrid turned at a fork in the road and continued, “Like the giant spider, although Aragog and its offspring mostly stay deep in their territory.”

"An eight-eyed giant spider? Aragog?"

"Uh... never mind, just don't wander into this forest."

Hagrid abruptly changed the subject.

"All right."

Morris shrugged; it was clearly the big guy in front of him who had brought up the topic.

Eight-eyed giant spider—that's certainly a name that evokes a lot of imagination.

Incidentally, he is not afraid of furry arthropods.

I even kind of like it.

It would be even better if we could raise a few.

He secretly memorized the name "Eight-Eyed Giant Spider" and planned to look up relevant information when he got back.

"We're almost there." Hagrid suddenly lowered his voice, gesturing for Maurice to slow his pace. "The Thestrals' habitat is in that clearing ahead."

They passed through the last patch of bushes, and suddenly the view opened up before them.

This is a forest clearing surrounded by giant trees, where sunlight can barely penetrate the canopy, making it exceptionally quiet.

Several emaciated black creatures stood there quietly, very similar to the one that had carried Maurice last night.

It was Yeqi.

Strangely, Morris felt that he had attracted the attention of almost all the Thestrals present.

"They're rather shy," Hagrid said happily. "The first time I tried to tame them, it took me three whole days to get them to let their guard down, and that wasn't easy."

"Uh..." Morris scratched his head, "I don't think they're that shy."

Well, how should I put it?

He seemed to see a kind of... passion in the pale eyes of those Thestrals?

It was as if they had seen some rare treasure.

At this moment, the lead Thestral raised its head and let out a long, mournful cry that echoed through the Forbidden Forest.

Something shocking happened.

More and more Thestrals emerged from the shadows of the forest.

They converged from all directions, surrounding Maurice and Hagrid.

A rough estimate suggests there may be several dozen.

"Look, they're welcoming us!" Hagrid stretched out his hands to the nearest Thestral, his face full of anticipation. "Come here, my good boy."

The Thestral slowly took a step closer.

Then, it went straight up to Maurice and nuzzled his chest affectionately, completely ignoring Hagrid, who was standing with his arms outstretched beside him.

"..."

Hagrid froze on the spot.